Kurds postpone elections in Syrian Kurdistan due to Turkish threats

QAMISHLO,— Kurdish authorities in Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava) announced on Thursday the postponement of controversial municipal elections, a move prompted by threats from Turkey and concerns from the United States, their main ally.

Initially set for June 11, 2024, the elections have been pushed back “until at least August.” These elections, covering all seven regions under the semi-autonomous region’s control, are significant as they encompass both Arabs and Kurds, following Syria’s fragmentation during its civil war.

The decision to delay the vote came after political parties and alliances raised objections regarding the short campaign period, according to the elections commission.

Local officials and candidates argue that these elections are vital for ensuring local representation and enhancing public services in the region. However, critics have accused them of promoting separatism and consolidating power, expressing doubts about the fairness of elections in Syria’s Kurdish northeast.

Approximately 18 parties, including the ruling Democratic Union Party (PYD), alongside independent candidates, are expected to participate in the elections, as stated by PYD co-chair Salih Muslim.

While the reason cited for the delay is “internal,” there’s speculation that political considerations might have influenced the decision, given the current circumstances.

Syria’s Kurds, historically marginalized and oppressed by the ruling Baath party, now control about a quarter of Syria, including areas with Arab majorities, following government forces’ withdrawal.

The armed wing of the PYD, the People’s Protection Units (YPG), is a dominant force within the Syrian Democratic Forces, the region’s de facto army, which played a crucial role in ousting the Islamic State group from its last Syrian stronghold in 2019, backed by the United States.

In a span of five years battling to eradicate the Islamic State “caliphate” that once sprawled across Syria and Iraq, more than 11,000 Kurdish fighters, both men and women, have lost their lives in the fight.

However, Turkey views the PYD and YPG as extensions of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and perceives the upcoming elections as promoting separatism. Ankara, controlling border areas of Syrian Kurdistan in Syria’s north, has conducted military operations to push Kurdish forces out of these regions since 2016.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened further action to prevent the elections, describing them as a threat to both Turkish and Syrian territorial integrity.

The delay in elections has been welcomed by Turkish state television TRT, which sees it as a vindication of Turkey’s stance.

The United States, while acknowledging Turkey as a crucial NATO ally, has voiced concerns about the conditions for fair elections in northeastern Syria, urging local authorities not to proceed with the polls.

The Autonomous Administration in Syrian Kurdistan, led by the PYD, advocates for a secular, decentralized self-governance model, prioritizing principles like gender equality, direct democracy, and environmental conservation.